CVE-2006-5459 in Downloadengine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Download-Engine 1.4.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) $_ENGINE[eng_dir] and possibly (2) spaw_root parameters in admin/includes/spaw/spaw_script.js.php, and the (3) $_ENGINE[eng_dir], (4) $spaw_root, (5) $spaw_dir, and (6) $spaw_base_url parameters in admin/includes/spaw/config/spaw_control.config.php, different vectors than CVE-2006-5291. NOTE: CVE analysis as of 20061021 is inconclusive, but suggests that some or all of the suggested attack vectors are ineffective.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5459 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Download-Engine versions 1.4.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the administrative components of the software, specifically targeting the spaw_script.js.php and spaw_control.config.php files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that manipulate the vulnerable parameters, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution, which are classified under CWE-20 and CWE-94 respectively. This represents a significant security risk as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious PHP code without authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific parameters within the administrative interface. The vulnerable parameters include $_ENGINE[eng_dir], spaw_root, $spaw_root, $spaw_dir, and $spaw_base_url, which are used to construct file paths for inclusion operations. When these parameters are not properly validated, attackers can inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code. The exploitation mechanism follows standard remote file inclusion patterns where the application's file inclusion function processes the attacker-controlled input without adequate sanitization, resulting in the execution of arbitrary code from external sources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack vectors differ from CVE-2006-5291, suggesting multiple pathways for exploitation but also indicating that the effectiveness of these vectors may vary based on system configurations and security controls in place.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-5459 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breach potential. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the web server, potentially enabling them to install backdoors, steal sensitive information, modify website content, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the administrative functionality of Download-Engine, which typically requires elevated privileges, making the potential impact even more severe. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their systems, with potential consequences including data loss, service disruption, and compliance violations. The vulnerability's classification under the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database as a remote code execution flaw indicates its severity and the need for immediate remediation. System administrators must understand that this vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the software is publicly accessible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5459 should focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening measures. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to Download-Engine version 1.4.3 or later, which contains fixes for these vulnerabilities. In cases where immediate upgrading is not feasible, administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious parameters from being processed. This includes disabling remote file inclusion features, implementing proper parameter validation, and restricting file inclusion operations to local paths only. Security configurations should enforce strict input filtering and use allowlists for parameter values rather than denylists. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered replacements for proper code fixes. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging of administrative access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature as a remote file inclusion flaw makes it particularly susceptible to automated scanning and exploitation tools, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security posture improvements including regular vulnerability assessments and security audits.